I can still remember dragging out a buck I killed in 2002. It was a very long way from the truck, and I shot it just as it was getting dark around 4:30. The temperature was probably in the 30's and I left my big coat and treestand where I shot the deer, field dressed it and started dragging. By the time I got to my truck two hours later I had shed so many clothes on the trail I was topless and seeing stars that weren't there. I remember laying flat on my back for a good half hour feeling my heart beat through my chest and sweating and smiling thinking it's a good way to die...

A roll up plastic sled is a great tool. Makes hauling a deer out of the woods in any terrain much less stressful. Will also come in handy if hunting buddies need to haul me out of the woods some day. Now, I actually get more out of breath wrestling a deer around while gutting it.I had a mild heart attack a few years ago so try to stay in shape and eat better most of the time. But I still go into the woods (yesterday ) with only 2-hours of sleep, hike through hilly wooded terrain carrying a bow/gun with 20-40 pounds on my back, climb tree stands, and leave my cell phone in the truck because it doesn't work there anyway. I probably eat the riskiest foods while on hunting and fishing trips, though I should drink more beer and wine. At times my body might feel the stress a bit more than I'd like (though not as much as working or watching election results tally up).Suicidal? Absolutely not - I still crave the hunt and the taste of venison and grouse, and the desire to pass learned skills on to those younger.This is my selfish time ... when I can truly put the world behind me and actually live for a few hours or days. With a bit of luck this will be how I die, rather than in a sterile hospital room breathing through a tube and eating tasteless cream of wheat.Do others worry? Sure. But worrying is their own fault. Those important to me know that I love them, and life insurance is paid up - though it reminds me that I do need to get my will straightened up. Wonder why I am single?I love the story about the bowler that keeled over after rolling a 300; and the golfer that died after shooting his age; and the old hunter found sitting stiff at the base of a big oak, gun in hand, calm smile on his face, waiting for that big buck to show. They were blessed, breathing their last doing what they loved. Hmmm, there must be a reason why these are all men?

My major safety concern is having a Walkie Talkie or Cell Phone with you at all times. I think it was just last week that my dad woke me up and asked me if I wanted to go bow hunting. I opted not to go. Silently my Dad left the house, never told anyone that he was going or where. After I arose that morning I noticed he was gone, truck was still here so he had walked. Never took the Cell or Walkie. I had a pretty good idea where he walked to, but it started to get later and later. Finally though the dogs start barking because they had seen someone walk up. For some reason my dad just doesn't see the importance of keeping in contact, aggravates and scares the heck out of me. What if he fell out of a treestand? Or if I did? We're then relying on one another for help. A saying that my mom tells him at times like these is "That lump between your shoulders is more than a hat rack." Lol

I try to stay in shape, but prior to what I know will be a more physically taxing hunt, ie: mountainous walking, high altitude, or anything out of my comfort zone (a few shooting houses and tree stands less than 1/4 mile from where I parked the truck)I do my best to prepare for those hunts. I never hunt alone unless my husband knows exactly which stand I'll be in, and if I don't call the minute I get back to the vehicle, he will come looking for me. I insist that he does the same if he's hunting alone. As for dragging a deer out....I bought him one of those hauler carts a few years back, and we use it if the terrain will allow. If not, I always summon help. Either him or one of our club members have always helped me drag. I don't mind admitting that I need help, and since I can out shoot 6 out of 10 of them, they don't tease me about asking for help.